Senator Graham on Iran:

The Arab countries in the region have been more than disappointing.

If the media reports are true that the Arab countries intervened on behalf of Iran to stop decisive action that was promised, then they’re not a very good ally.

Source: This Is Beirut

NOW: Most local Arab tribes rise up against U.S.-backed SDF/PKK terror group in Raqqa, gradually reclaiming control of their territories.

Tribes are mostly fighting on their own, without Syrian Army support for now.

Syrian Army forces also rapidly regain territories.

Raqqa is overwhelmingly Arab.

Many local Arabs resent SDF rule, seeing it as ethnically biased, and want reintegration into a unified Syrian state after Assad.

Senator Graham on Iran:

To the Arab world, I’ve tried to be very hopeful to build on the Abraham Accords, but this idea of saying one thing behind closed doors and something else in public is coming to an end.

I’ve called Arab allies and said, “You need to correct the record.” If you did, in fact, intervene to stop this action, that means you really don’t understand what America’s interests are and your own interests.

How can you ask Trump to do that after he’s encouraged people to go out in the streets and risk their own lives?

That is such a narrow view, a distorted view, and quite frankly a sick view of what to do. I don’t want to be aligned with that.

Source: This Is Beirut

Senator Graham on Iran:

I would never vote for any kind of agreement that would bind us to any Arab country that did this.

If, after Trump empowered people to feel like their freedom was at hand, you believe we should wind this down and you’re okay with the regime standing after all this, I don’t want to be aligned with you. I don’t want to do a treaty with you.

Source: This Is Beirut

Starmer responds to Trump:

Our position on Greenland is very clear — it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO, and allies should do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.

US Envoy to the UN Mike Waltz on Greenland:

Everybody knows if you're renting a place you treat it differently than if you own it.

Ursula von der Leyen responds to Trump:

The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.

A senior German politician has suggested Germany could boycott the 2026 World Cup as a last resort if tensions escalate over Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.

Jürgen Hardt said the idea is meant to pressure Trump, noting how important the tournament is to him.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Macron:

A united and stable Syria can only be achieved through the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces within its institutions, and not through war against those who fought alongside us against ISIS.

The offensive by the Syrian authorities must stop immediately. France and Europe will not be able to support the continuation of such an approach.

Trump on the autopen:

There must be a price to pay, and it has got to be a BIG ONE!

PKK/SDF terrorists continue to leave Tabqa.

CENTCOM:

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16, that resulted in the death of a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter on Dec. 13, 2025.

Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria.

Finnish President Stubb:

European countries stand united. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland.

Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

NOW: Syrian Army says it has taken control of Mansoura Dam (formerly Baath Dam) and the towns of Rutlah and Al-Hammam in the Raqqa countryside, moving to within 5 km of western Raqqa.

BIG: Syrian Army announce full control of Tabqa Military Airbase, saying it fully expelled SDF/PKK militants.

Israel is set to receive three new F-35I “Adir” stealth jets at Nevatim Airbase tomorrow, raising the Israeli Air Force fleet to 48 aircraft as part of its long-term plan to expand to 75 Adirs.

BREAKING: EU lawmakers are moving to halt the EU–US trade deal after Donald Trump threatened tariffs linked to Greenland.

Source: Bloomberg

German far-right AfD Leader Alice Weidel:

We’ve heard years of loud outrage about Putin violating international law — now those same critics are strangely quiet when Trump does what they criticized Putin for: violating sovereignty in Venezuela and with Greenland.

German far-right AfD Leader Alice Weidel:

Trump has violated a fundamental campaign promise, namely not to interfere in other countries, and he will have to explain that to his own voters.

German far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel draws a comparison:

Putin violated international law in 2022, and since then there has been constant outrage — even talk of him being a murderer — without any acknowledgment that Russia also sees its security interests threatened by NATO’s eastward expansion.

Trump is implementing the Monroe Doctrine — essentially the same logic, just from the other side. The doctrine means tolerating no hostile power in America’s backyard, including South America.

Local tribal fighters in Deir ez-Zor ambushed a convoy of SDF/PKK terror group.